Applying for a mortgage when you are self-employed can be more difficult than it is when you’re earning wages or a salary. That’s because it can be hard to demonstrate your ability to repay a mortgage to a prospective lender.
Self-Employed and Looking for a Home Loan in Tauranga?
Being self-employed shouldn’t stop you from buying a home. At Best Mortgages Tauranga, we help business owners and contractors across Pyes Pa, Greerton, Matua and the wider Bay of Plenty secure fair approvals—even when income is complex.
Why banks say no (and how we fix it)
Banks often want two full years of financial accounts. Because those accounts are prepared with tax minimisation in mind, they can make your earnings look lower than reality. As experienced mortgage brokers in Tauranga, we interpret your financials so lenders see your true repayment ability—using GST returns, management accounts, accountant letters and bank statements.
Flexible options for self-employed borrowers
- Policy-fit lenders: banks and reputable non-banks that accept alternative income evidence (some with only one year of trading).
- Smarter structures: split terms, revolving/offset accounts and cash-flow friendly repayments.
- End-to-end help: we package the file, explain variances, and negotiate terms on your behalf.
Local example: a café owner in Matua was declined for “irregular income.” We re-worked the application with management accounts and GST summaries, matched them to a policy-fit lender, and achieved approval within a week.
Self-employed and stuck? Talk to our Tauranga mortgage broker team. We’ll review your numbers, present them the right way, and connect you with lenders who understand small-business cash-flow.
Whether you’re buying your first home, refinancing for a better deal, or planning your next investment move, now’s the perfect time to get expert advice. Our friendly team at Best Mortgages is based right here in Tauranga and helps Kiwis across the Bay of Plenty make sense of these market shifts. We speak plain English (and a bit of Kiwi slang when needed) and work for you – not the banks – to find the right solution.
Ready to explore your options? Contact us today for a free, no-obligation chat and we’ll walk you through the latest rates, rules, and opportunities tailored to your goals. Let’s turn those property dreams into reality this spring – we’re only a phone call or coffee catch-up away. See our reviews to know why we are called the best. Also stay up to date with our latest news for the best tips and advice.
Best Mortgages — Operated by Ewald Biesenbach (FSP 320426) under The Best Limited (FSP 724451 – NZBN 9429043352067). Licensed under the Financial Services Legislation Act 2019.
Can self-employed people get a home loan in Tauranga?
Yes. Many Tauranga clients who run their own business qualify for home loans every week. We work with banks and non-bank lenders who specialise in self-employed borrowers and can often approve loans with just one year of trading history.
What documents do I need to apply?
Most lenders ask for two years of financial statements, but some will accept one year plus GST returns, bank statements, or management accounts. We’ll help you prepare the right paperwork to show your true income.
Will my accountant’s tax returns affect my application?
They can — tax-minimised accounts sometimes make income look lower than it really is. We’ll interpret your figures and explain them clearly to lenders so your genuine affordability is recognised.
Can I still get a mortgage if my income varies each month?
Yes. Many Tauranga self-employed clients in industries like construction or hospitality have fluctuating income. We’ll average your earnings and find lenders who accept variable cash-flow.
Do you help self-employed clients outside Tauranga?
Absolutely. While we’re based in Tauranga, we work with clients across the Bay of Plenty — including Pyes Pa, Matua, Bethlehem, and Omokoroa — using online meetings and digital document uploads.
